Alison Weir

'This series is a serious achievement' The Times'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' Tracy BormanSIX TUDOR QUEENS. Six novels. Six years. A collectable box set edition of the complete Six Tudor Queens novels - the Sunday Times bestselling series by acclaimed historical novelist and eminent historian Alison Weir. KATHERINE OF ARAGON. The True Queen.ANNE BOLEYN. The King's Obsession. JANE SEYMOUR. The Haunted Queen.ANNA OF KLEVES. Queen of Secrets.KATHERYN HOWARD. The Tainted Queen. KATHARINE PARR. The Sixth Wife.Walk in the footsteps of the most infamous queens in history as their extraordinary stories weave together and play out in glittering palaces, birth chambers and gilded prisons. 'Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else' Barbara Erskine'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian

'A must for Tudor fans everywhere' Tracy Borman'Thrilling, captivating . . . unforgettable' Kate Williams'A gripping story that's underpinned by a wealth of research . . . this is Alison Weir at her best' Nicola TallisSunday Times bestselling novelist Alison Weir returns with the spellbinding story of Mary I.A DESTINY REWRITTEN. A ROYAL HEART DIVIDED.Adored only child of Henry VIII and his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, Princess Mary is raised in the golden splendour of her father's court. But the King wants a son and heir.With her parents' marriage, and England, in crisis, Mary's perfect world begins to fall apart. Exiled from the court and her beloved mother, she seeks solace in her faith, praying for her father to bring her home. But when the King does promise to restore her to favour, his love comes with a condition.The choice Mary faces will haunt her for years to come - in her allegiances, her marriage and her own fight for the crown. Can she become the queen she was born to be?MARY I. HER STORY.Alison Weir's new Tudor novel is the tale, full of drama and tragedy, of how a princess with such promise, loved by all who knew her, became the infamous Bloody Mary.---PRAISE FOR ALISON WEIR'S TUDOR FICTION'Alison Weir gives us her most compelling heroine yet... This is where the story of the Tudors begins' Tracy Borman'History has the best stories and they should all be told like this' Conn Iggulden'As always, Alison Weir is ahead of the curve - and at the top of her game' Sarah Gristwood'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian'Profoundly moving... lingers long after the last page' Elizabeth Fremantle

"The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic and poignant life of King Henry VIII's daughter--infamously known as Bloody Mary--who ruled England for five violent years. Born from young King Henry's first marriage, his elder daughter, Princess Mary, is raised to be queen once it becomes clear that her mother, Katherine of Aragon, will bear no more children. However, Henry's passion for Anne Boleyn has a devastating influence on the young princess's future when, determined to sire a male heir, he marries Anne, has his marriage to Katherine declared unlawful, brands Mary illegitimate, and banishes them both from the royal court. But when Anne too fails to produce a son, she is beheaded and Mary is allowed to return to court as the default heir. At age twenty, she waits in vain for her own marriage and children, but who will marry her, bastard that she is? Yet Mary eventually triumphs and becomes queen, after first deposing a seventeen-year-old usurper, Lady Jane Grey, and ordering her beheading. Any hopes that Mary, as the first female queen regent of England, will show religious toleration are dashed when she embarks on a ruthless campaign to force Catholicism on the English by burning hundreds of Protestants at the stake. But while her brutality will forever earn her the name Bloody Mary, at heart she is an insecure and vulnerable woman, her character forged by the unhappiness of her early years. In Alison Weir's masterful novel, the drama of Mary I's life and five-year reign--from her abusive childhood, marriage, and mysterious pregnancies to the cruelty that marks her legacy--comes to vivid life."

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic and poignant life of King Henry VIII's daughter--infamously known as Bloody Mary--who ruled England for five violent years. "An exquisitely drawn, poignant portrayal of one of history's most complex, maligned, and fascinating figures."--Tracy Borman, author of Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I Born from young King Henry's first marriage, his elder daughter, Princess Mary, is raised to be queen once it becomes clear that her mother, Katherine of Aragon, will bear no more children. However, Henry's passion for Anne Boleyn has a devastating influence on the young princess's future when, determined to sire a male heir, he marries Anne, has his marriage to Katherine declared unlawful, brands Mary illegitimate, and banishes them both from the royal court. But when Anne too fails to produce a son, she is beheaded and Mary is allowed to return to court as the default heir. At age twenty, she waits in vain for her own marriage and children, but who will marry her, bastard that she is? Yet Mary eventually triumphs and becomes queen, after first deposing a seventeen-year-old usurper, Lady Jane Grey, and ordering her beheading. Any hopes that Mary, as the first female queen regent of England, will show religious toleration are dashed when she embarks on a ruthless campaign to force Catholicism on the English by burning hundreds of Protestants at the stake. But while her brutality will forever earn her the name Bloody Mary, at heart she is an insecure and vulnerable woman, her character forged by the unhappiness of her early years. In Alison Weir's masterful novel, the drama of Mary I's life and five-year reign--from her abusive childhood, marriage, and mysterious pregnancies to the cruelty that marks her legacy--comes to vivid life.

The Sunday Times top 10 bestseller'Alison Weir makes Henry VIII's story feel like it has never been told before... This novel will open your eyes and, at times, break your heart. By the end of it, I felt like I had met Henry for the first time' Tracy BormanSix wives. One King. You know their stories. Now it's time to hear his.Prince Harry is born the second son, his brother destined to rule. But Arthur's untimely death sees Harry crowned King Henry of England.As Henry's power and influence extends, so commences a lifelong battle between head and heart, love and duty. The fate of the Tudor dynasty depends on an heir, but his prayers for a son go unanswered.And the crown weighs heavy on a king with all but his one true desire...HENRY VIII. HIS STORY.Alison Weir's most ambitious Tudor novel yet reveals the captivating story of a man who was by turns brilliant, romantic, and ruthless: the king who changed England forever.---PRAISE FOR ALISON WEIR'S TUDOR FICTION'This is where the story of the Tudors begins and is historical fiction at its absolute best' Tracy Borman'History has the best stories and they should all be told like this' Conn Iggulden'A serious achievement' The Times'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian

Packed with dramatic true stories from one of European history's most romantic and turbulent eras, this epic narrative chronicles the five Plantagenet queens of England between 1299 and 1409, from the New York Times bestselling author hailed as "the finest historian of English monarchical succession writing" (The Boston Globe)."A thorough and illuminating survey of the Plantagenet dynasty."--Publishers Weekly The Age of Chivalry was an era of the Middle Ages dominated by the social and moral code of knighthood that prized noble deeds and the game of courtly love between aristocratic men and women. A period of high drama in English history, the fourteenth century witnessed the toppling of two kings, the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, and the Peasants' Revolt. Feudalism was breaking down, resulting in social and political turmoil. Against this dramatic milieu, Alison Weir recounts the lives and reigns of five queen consorts: Marguerite of France was twenty when she married sixty-year-old King Edward I. Isabella of France, later known as "the She Wolf," dethroned her husband, Edward II, and ruled England with her lover. In contrast, Philippa of Hainault was a popular queen to the deposed king's son Edward III. Anne of Bohemia was queen to Richard II, but she died young and childless. Isabella of Valois became Richard's second wife when she was six years old, only to see him violently overthrown. This was a chaotic and brutal age, despite its chivalric color and ethos, and it stands as an arresting setting for the extraordinary stories of these queens' lives. Don't miss any of Alison Weir's fascinating England's Medieval Queens series: QUEENS OF THE CONQUEST - QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES - QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY - QUEENS AT WAR

The captivating new Tudor novel from Alison Weir, Sunday Times bestselling author of Six Tudor Queens. 'Alison Weir gives us her most compelling heroine yet... This is where the story of the Tudors begins' Tracy Borman'History has the best stories and they should all be told like this' Conn Iggulden'A stunning read, and the perfect piece of historical fiction' Reader review'This is novel that captured my imagination, educated me and emotionally moved me' Reader review---A princess born into a war between two families...Firstborn of the royal House of York, Elizabeth dreams of wearing a crown. But in England, queens do not rule.When her beloved father, King Edward, dies suddenly, his brother seizes power. Two young princes disappear into the Tower. Yet another claimant seeks the crown, the upstart heir of the rival House of Lancaster. Marriage to this Henry Tudor would unite their warring families - and help Elizabeth to the throne she knows is hers by right.A glorious new age awaits. Now Elizabeth must choose her allies wisely as she fights to become mother and queen of a great new dynasty.Elizabeth of York.The first Tudor queen.Her story.---READERS FELL IN LOVE WITH ELIZABETH OF YORK...'I found her an inspirational woman, full of strength...I truly adored this book''She becomes the matriarch of the Tudor destiny after a series of intrigue, conflict, and most likely murder... a brilliant read''Alison Weir's writing just makes history that bit more exciting and accessible' 'It was refreshing to read such a detailed and informative book of an almost forgotten Queen' 'An amazing read as expected from Alison Weir, she breathes life into Elizabeth and those around her'

Packed with dramatic true stories from one of European history's most romantic and turbulent eras, this epic narrative chronicles the five Plantagenet queens of England between 1299 and 1409, from the New York Times bestselling author hailed as "the finest historian of English monarchical succession writing" (The Boston Globe). "A thorough and illuminating survey of the Plantagenet dynasty."--Publishers Weekly The Age of Chivalry was an era of the Middle Ages dominated by the social and moral code of knighthood that prized noble deeds and the game of courtly love between aristocratic men and women. A period of high drama in English history, the fourteenth century witnessed the toppling of two kings, the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, and the Peasants' Revolt. Feudalism was breaking down, resulting in social and political turmoil. Against this dramatic milieu, Alison Weir recounts the lives and reigns of five queen consorts: Marguerite of France was twenty when she married sixty-year-old King Edward I. Isabella of France, later known as "the She Wolf," dethroned her husband, Edward II, and ruled England with her lover. In contrast, Philippa of Hainault was a popular queen to the deposed king's son Edward III. Anne of Bohemia was queen to Richard II, but she died young and childless. Isabella of Valois became Richard's second wife when she was six years old, only to see him violently overthrown. This was a chaotic and brutal age, despite its chivalric color and ethos, and it stands as an arresting setting for the extraordinary stories of these queens' lives. Don't miss any of Alison Weir's fascinating England's Medieval Queens series: QUEENS OF THE CONQUEST - QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES - QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY - QUEENS AT WAR

From one of Britain's best selling historians, a sweeping and magisterial history of the extraordinary lives of five queens in England's turbulent Age of ChivalryMedieval queens were seen as mere dynastic trophies, yet many of the Plantagenet queens of the High Middle Ages dramatically broke away from the restrictions imposed on their sex, as Alison Weir shows in this gripping group biography of England's fourteenth-century consorts.Using personal letters and wonderfully vivid sources, Alison Weir evokes the lives of five remarkable queens: Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois.The turbulent, brutal Age of Chivalry witnessed the Black Death, the Peasants' Revolt, the Hundred Years War against France and savage baronial wars against the monarchy in which these queens were passionately involved. Queens of the Age of Chivalry brilliantly recreates this truly dramatic period of history through the lives of five extraordinary women."Stunning... [Weir has] brought those five queens to life like never before. I just raced through it - it has all the drama and suspense of a novel." - Tracy Borman, praise for Queens of Crusades

The complete SIX TUDOR QUEENS short-story collection by acclaimed historian and SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING author, Alison Weir.'This brilliant series has brought Henry VIII's six wives to life as never before' TRACY BORMAN'Detailed, immaculately researched and convincing' THE TIMES'Lingers long after the last page is turned' ELIZABETH FREMANTLE---Behind every great king stands a queen. And behind every queen, the whole court watches on...Over the years of his reign, six different women took their place beside King Henry VIII of England as his wife and queen.But the real stories of the six Tudor queens belong to those who lived among them. Played out in glittering palaces and whispering courts, these are tales of the people who loved and served these women, and those who lied and betrayed them.Collected together for the first time, In the Shadow of Queens reveals thirteen startling stories from the Tudor court, told by those at the very heart of that world. ALISON WEIR.Groundbreaking truth. Breathtaking fiction.---PRAISE FOR THE SIX TUDOR QUEENS SERIES:'Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life' Guardian'A tour de force' Susan Ronald'Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else' Barbara Erskine'Well researched and engrossing' Good Housekeeping'Hugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail' Daily Mail

The stunning final novel in the highly acclaimed and bestselling SIX TUDOR QUEENS series by historian and Sunday Times bestselling author, Alison Weir.

A fresh, enthralling narrative history chronicling the dynamic reigns of the first five queens in the Plantagenet family, who ruled England and France for over three centuries, from the New York Times bestselling author hailed as "the finest historian of English monarchical succession writing" (The Boston Globe) "A magnificent tapestry, skillfully woven . . . This rich and robust account will appeal to readers interested in medieval England and some of its most fascinating royal women, whose stories are often left out of the history books."--Booklist The Plantagenet queens of England played a role in some of the most dramatic events in history. Crusading queens, queens in rebellion, seductive queens, learned queens, queens in battle, queens who enlivened England with romantic culture--these determined women broke through medieval constraints to exercise power and influence. This second volume of Alison Weir's acclaimed history of the queens of medieval England moves into a period of even higher drama, from 1154 to 1291: years of chivalry and courtly love, dynastic ambition, conflict between church and throne, and the ruthless interplay between the rival monarchs of Britain and France. We see, from a new perspective, events such as the murder of Becket, the Magna Carta, and the birth of parliaments. Queens of the Crusades begins with the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose marriage to Henry II established a dynasty that ruled over three centuries and created the most powerful empire in western Christendom--but also sowed the seeds for destructive family conflicts and the collapse of England's power in Europe. The lives of Eleanor's four successors were just as remarkable: Berengaria of Navarre; Isabella of Angoul me; Alienor of Provence; and finally Eleanor of Castile. Alison Weir provides a fresh, enthralling narrative focusing on fascinating female monarchs during a dramatic period of high romance and low politics, with unwavering women at its heart. Don't miss any of Alison Weir's fascinating England's Medieval Queens series: QUEENS OF THE CONQUEST - QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES - QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY - QUEENS AT WAR

The complete SIX TUDOR QUEENS series short-story collection by acclaimed historian and Sunday Times bestselling author, Alison Weir.

The complete SIX TUDOR QUEENS series short-story collection by acclaimed historian and Sunday Times bestselling author, Alison Weir.